Eurovision 2021 Antepost Betting Preview: Odds & Analysis

Stephen Cass

March 31st, 2021

Url copied!

RECOMMENDED EUROVISION 2021 ANTE POST BETS:

• Each way Malta to win Eurovision 4/1, 4 places bet365
• Each way Greece to win Eurovision 40/1, 5 places Boylesports
• Each way Ukraine to win Eurovision 100/1, 4 places Paddy Power
• Denmark top 10 finish 25/1 Ladbrokes

Do you ever hark back to the old days when harking back to the old days wasn’t so mainstream? Nostalgia is the new nostalgia. Fila is too legit to quit and chardonnay is returning to former glories. Rumour has it the Derby will be back in a Wednesday slot, the miners are going on strike and the golden triumvirate of prawn cocktail/chicken kiev/baked Alaska is the most popular order in the hippest restaurants in town.

This year’s Eurovision is pump-up-the-jam packed with 80’s, 90’s and early 2000’s floor fillers. Synths, sax and baggy trousers are in vogue. It feels like the Eurovision we need. This year’s contest has everything. The fact that the artists in the main have had two stabs at the contest has given them a chance to hone their acts and serve us up a contest for the ages. The Eurovision betting odds reflect this with the most wide open contest in the past decade.

Who’s in the Running for Eurovision 2021?

Undoubtedly the best song in the contest this year is Switzerland. A male piano vocalist presents a hauntingly, melodic, vocally terrific performance that builds to an epic crescendo. And therein lies the problem.The formula is identical to the Netherlands winning entry from 2019 and Eurovision winners are almost never similar to their predecessors. Switzerland are even using the same production team as the Netherlands. Fresh blood is required. It is a strong enough reason to overlook a stunning song.

France is also skulking around with a view to becoming a favourite contender. Personally I don’t get what all the fuss is about. Voila (a thunderously naff title for a French song) is a sleepy jazz number that is so full of its own self importance it risks disappearing up its own le cul.

The other market front-runner is Malta’s Destiny. A previous Junior Eurovision winner this act has the vocal capability and contemporary feel needed to win the contest. If there is to be a song progress to strong favourite come rehearsals week I feel this is the one.

The #metoo vibes are culturally significant, the song will resonate massively with women and younger men, and it has a chart feel. Destiny’s stage presence and the songs epic build-up to a Beyonce-esque peak give it every chance of scoring well with jurors and televoters alike. The music video suggests a decent on-stage performance will be forthcoming too.

Based on the running order for semi-final one with Malta in the pimp spot of last place and rival Lithuania dunked in first, it now looks like Malta is hot favourite to win that semi-final. I feel there is a strong possibility this will be trading around half the current odds of 4/1 on the Saturday of the final and with 4 places available at one quarter the odds it’s irresistible as an each way proposition.

Prices Worth Considering

Given the overall strength of the contest it’s very possible a contender or two will emerge from the pack. Two to consider at prices are Greece (40/1, 5 places with Boylesports) and Ukraine (100/1 with Paddy Power).

Greece’s Stefania hits the perfect balance between the contemporary feel required for a modern Eurovision winner and 80’s flashdance pop. If The Weeknd were to create a tune for a figure skating grudge match in a Disney movie, this is what it would sound like. The market has somewhat overlooked her to date, presumably because of the act’s inexperience; Stefania is only 18.

The age factor doesn’t concern me in the slightest as in live performances there is a strong stage presence. Her vocals have an endearing smokiness to them and she hits the high notes with ease (important for the jury vote). If the staging improves on the pathetic music video this will be a major contender for top 4 honours at least. Encouragingly the song is polling extremely well on various Eurovision fan sites so odds of 33/1 seem fanciful.

Ukraine come to the contest with a standout Eastern techno number which is melodic and discomforting all in one joyous bundle. Televoters could absolutely love this and while it may not play as well with jurors it is definitely worth a poke at triple-figure odds.

Finally Ladbrokes have, as usual, been more proactive than most in their compiling and their traders have priced up the top 10 market. Denmark arrive to the contest with a 1960’s style showband number performed in over the top 1980’s outfits. It’s bloody fantastic. There has to be a chance it will flop but given it’s performed with charm and humour it could also be a fans favourite. The show’s planners seem to agree as they have given it every chance placing it in the final slot in semi-final two. Odds of 25/1 at Ladbrokes and other top specials betting sites about a top 10 berth are far too big.